Vehicle direction switch with automatic return and headlight dimmer control

ABSTRACT

An electrical switch including a base having a rotor mounted for angular movement thereon. A first set of electrical contacts is operable by angular movement of the rotor relative to the base, and an operating lever is pivotally mounted on the rotor for movement relative to the rotor about an axis at right angles to the axis of movement of the rotor. The lever is coupled to a slider capable of sliding movement relative to the base, and further electrical contacts are operable by the slider in response to sliding movement thereof. The operating lever is coupled to the slider in such a manner that movement of the lever in a direction parallel to its pivot axis takes place relative to the slider, and so moves the rotor relative to the base to operate the first set of contacts.

United States Patent 1,

Wilkinson [11]" 3,718,784 [451 Feb. 27, 1973' [75] Inventor; NormanWilkinson, Barrowford,

near Nelson, Lancashire, England [73] Assignee: Joseph Lucas(Industries) Limited, Birmingham, England v 1 [22] Filed: June 11, 1970[21] Appl. No.: 45,490

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 25, 1969 Great Britain.32045/69 [52] US. Cl. "200/6127, ZOO/61.3, ZOO/61.32 [51] Int. Cl. .L..HOIh 21/00 [58] Field of Search....200/6l.27, 61.3, 61.31, 61.32,

[56] References Cited Mutschler et a1 ..200/61.54

3,372,252 3/19 68, Stoiet a1......-. ..200/6134 3,374,321 3/1968Trarbach.... .....200/6l.27 3,359,384 12/1967 Nevett ..200/61.34

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,031,759 6/1966 Great Britain..200/61.34

Primary Examiner-C. L. Albritton Assistant Examiner-George A. MontanyeAttorney-Holman & Stern [57] ABSTRACT An electrical switch including abase having a rotor mounted for angular movement thereon. A first set ofelectrical contacts is operable by angular movement of the rotorrelative to the base, and an operating lever is pivotally mounted on therotor for movement relative to the rotor about an axis at right anglestothe axis of movement of the rotor. The lever is coupled to a slidercapable of sliding movement relative to the base, and further electricalcontacts are operable by the slider in response to sliding movementthereof. The operating lever is coupled to the slider in such amannerthat movement of the lever in a direction parallel to its pivotaxis takes place relative to the slider, and so moves the rotor relativeto the base to operate the first set of contacts.

9 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures I PATENIEDFEBZ'IIQTS} 3,718,784

- SHEET 10F A RNEYS PATENTEUFEBZYIHH 3,718,784

SHEET 20F 3 INVENTOR WW mmm ATRQNEYS .FIG. 1, and

FIG. 6 is a partly diagrammatic viewin thedirection- VEHICLE DIRECTIONSWITCH WITH AUTOMATIC RETURN AND HEADLIGHT DIMMER CONTROL This inventionrelates to electrical switches for road vehicles.

A switch according to the invention includes a base, a rotor mounted forangular movement on the base, a first set of electricalcontacts-operable by movement of the rotor relative to the base, anoperating lever pivotally mounted on the rotor for movement relative tothe rotor-about an axis generally at right angles to the axis ofmovement of the rotor relative to the base, a slider mounted on the basefor sliding movement relative thereto in a direction generally parallelwith the axis about which the rotor can move, and a second set ofcontacts operable by movement of the slider relative tothe base, theoperating lever being coupledto said slider in such a manner thatpivotal movement of the lever relative to the rotor moves said sliderwhile moveof the switch shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3A is a fragmentary'view illustrating an alternative arrangement tothat shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the switch shown inFIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a part of the switch shown in of arrow A inFIG. 5. I I

Referring to the drawings, the switch includes a moulded synthetic resinbody 11 which is adapted at 12 to be securedto the stationary outer partof the steering column of a road vehicle. The body 11 defines a collarwhich encircles the stationary outer part of the steering column of theroad vehicle, and rotatably mounted on the body 11 is a mouldedsynthetic resin striker sleeve 13, the striker sleeve 13 being keyed tothe rotatable part of the steering column, so as to rotate therewith;Mounted for rotation on the body 11 at about an axis parallel to theaxis of the sleeve 13 is a moulded synthetic resin rotor 14 to. which ispivotally connected an operating lever 15. The'operating lever 15extends outwardly from the switch, and is pivotally connected to therotor 14 for movementabout an axis at right angles to the pivotal axisof the rotor 14, the innermost end of the lever 15 being received inapivot piece 16 coupled to the rotor 14 for said pivotal movement.

' Engaged as a snap fit with the rotor 14, and extending generallytowards the sleeve 13 are a pair of moulded synthetic resin,resilientcancelling legs 17 each of which terminates adjacent the sleeve13. First and second sets of contacts 18,19 are operable in response tomovement ofthe rotor,'relative'to the body 11, the contacts 18,19 beingindependent of one another and serving difierent functions in use.The'contacts 18 control the direction indicator function of the vehicleutilizing the switch and the contacts 19 control parking light functionof the vehicle. The rotor has three stable positions relative to thebody 11, a first, central position wherein neither the contacts 18 northe contacts 19 are operated, a second, operative position achieved bymoving the rotor 14 relative to the body 11 in one angular direction, tocomplete, in use, the circuits to the direction indicator lamps on oneside of the vehicle through the contacts 18, and a third, operativeposition achieved by moving the rotor in the opposite angular directionfrom its central position and wherein the contacts 18 are operated tocomplete the circuits to the direction indicator lamps on the oppositeside of vehicle. The rotor 14 is formed with a first radially extendingbore 21 which houses a compression spring 22 urging a ball 23 intoengagement with a cam track 24 formed on a wall of the body 11. The camtrack 24 includes three angularly spaced depressions, the ball 23 andthe cam track 24 constituting detent means defining the first, secondand third stable positions of the rotor 14 relative to the body 11. Whenthe vehicle is parked with its side lamp switch closed, then movement ofthe rotor to its second position causes the side lights on one side ofthe vehicle only to be energized through the contacts 19, while with therotor in its third position only the side lamps on the opposite side areenergized. In the first central position of the rotor all of the sidelamps are energized.

Movement of the rotor 14 relative to the body 11 to either of its secondand third positions causes the ball 23 to ride from the centraldepressionof the cam track 24 into one or other of the outermostdepressions of the vcam'track 24, and moves one or other of the legs 17into the path of movement of a striker (not shown) on the outer surfaceof the sleeve 13. As stated above the contacts 18 are used to controlthe direction indicator lamps on opposite sides respectivelyof thevehicle, and during rotation of the steering wheel of the vehicle in adirection to negotiate the turn indicated when the rotor is in itssecond or third position, then the striker on the sleeve 13 engages theleg 17 which is in its path of movement, and flexes'the leg outwardly topermit the striker to pass. However, when the turn has been negotiatedand the steering wheel is being returned to its straight ahead position,the striker engages the outer surface of the respective leg 17, andflexes the leg 17 against a stop on the rotor 14, whereafter furtherflexure of the leg 17 is resisted. The force exerted on theend of theleg 17 by the striker, in returning the steering wheel to its straightahead position, creates a turning moment about the pivotal axis of therotor 14, and returns the rotor 14 to its central position wherein thecontacts 18 are inoperative, and the leg 17 is out path of movement ofthe striker.

The contacts 18 are arranged to be operated during the movement of therotor 14 from its central position to either of its second or thirdoperative positions, and before the rotor 14 reaches said operativepositions.

The rotor 14 is formed with a second radially extending bore 25 whichhouses a compression spring 26 urging a further ball 27 into a channel28 in the wall of the body 11. When the rotor is in its centralposition, the ball 27 is adjacentthemid-point of the channel 28, and thelength of the channel 28 is shorterv than the distance between theoutermost depressions of the cam track 24. Thus, during movement of therotor 14 to either of its second or third positions before the ball 23engages of theball 27 with the ends of the channel 28, and so at the 7point in the movement of the rotor' 14 at which the operator feelsresistance to movement, the contacts 18 will have been operated.However, if at the point at which the operator'feels resistance tomovement of the rotor 14, theoperator releases the lever 15 then therotor 14 will be returned to its central position, wherein the contacts18 inoperative, by the action of the ball 23 in the central depressionof the cam track 24. Thus the switch operator can maintain the rotor 14in a position wherein the desired indicator lamps of the vehicle areoperative, but wherein the rotor 14 will be returned to its centralposition upon release of the lever 15, without the necessity ofcancellation of the switch by the striker on the sleeve 13. This featureis particularly useful where the vehicle is to make a small directionalchange involving little movement of the steering wheel of the vehicle,for example, changing lanes on a motorway. Coacting stops are providedon the rotor and the body for preventing movement of the rotor relativeto the body beyond its second and third positions. Ball 27 can bereplaced by a plunger as shown in FIG. 3A.

The flasher unit which causes flashing of the direction indicator lampsof the vehicle is carried by the body 11 and is plugged into a printedcircuit board on the body 11, the printed circuit board completing thecircuit between the unit and the contacts 18.

The switch is provided with a metal cover plate 29 which extendsparallel with the body 11, and which constitutes a second journal forthe sleeve 13 and the pivot piece 14. Slidably mounted in the plate 29and the body 11, and extending generally at right angles to the body 11is a slider 31 (FIGS. and 6 which is of arcuate cross-section.Intermediate its ends the slider 31 is formed with a transverselyextending elongated slot 32 through which the lever extends, and at itsend remote from the plate 29 the slider 31 is formed with threeparallel, integral fingers 33,34,35 respectively. The fingers 33,35extend through respective passages in the body 11, and serve to locatethe lower end of the slider 31 for sliding movement in the body 11, theupper end of the slider 31 being received in a slot in the plate 29, thebody 11 and the plate 29 supporting the slider 31 against movement otherthan in a direction generally parallel with the pivotal axis of therotor 14. The finger 34 of the slider 31 is resilient, and extendsthrough an aperture in the body 11 with clearance. The face of thefinger 34 presented towards the rotor 14 is formed with a pair oftransversely extending grooves 36,37 which are spaced apart by aconical, transversely extending rib 38, and the surface of the slider 31containing the grooves 36,37 is engaged by a relatively rigid projection39 integral with the body, 11. The arrangement is such that the finger34 is stressed into engagement with the projection 39 upon assembly ofthe switch, with the projection 39 engaged in one or other of thegrooves 36,37 of the finger 34.

The opposite longer walls of the slots 32 in the slider 31 grip thelever 15, so that the slider 31 is moved in a direction parallel withthe pivotal axis of the rotor 14 by movement of the lever 15 about itspivotal axis relative to the rotor 14. The longer walls of the slots 32are relieved, so that they make substantially only linecontact with thelever 15.

The fingers 33,35 of the slider 31 project from the lower surface of thebody 11, and are engageable with respective leaf spring contacts 41,42.The leaf spring contacts 41,42 are secured at one end to the body 11,and are engageable at their other ends with respective fixed contactsnot shown) also supported by the body 11. In use, the contacts 41,42together with their respective fixed' contacts are connected in theheadlamps circuit of the road vehicle, and control the main beam, dippedbeam, and main beam flash facilities of the vehicle, under the action ofthe fingers 33,35 1

of the slider 31. When the main lighting control switch of the vehicleis in its on position, and the slider 31 is in a position wherein theprojection 39 is engaged in the groove 37, then the main beam filamentsof the headlamps will be energized. In order to switch off the mainbeams, and energizethe dipped beam filaments of the headlamps the lever15 is moved relative to the rotor 14 to move the slider 31 upwardly, andduring the upward movement of the slider 31 the projection 39 rides overthe rib 38 and into the groove 36, the finger 34 being flexed to permitthe rib 38 to pass the projection 39. With the projection 39 engaged inthe groove 36, the fingers 33,35 are in such a position that the dippedbeam filaments of the headlamps of the vehicle are energized. Thegrooves 36,37 together with the projection 39 constitute detent meansdefining the two stable positions of the slider 31 relative to the body1 1. Further movement of the slider 31 in an upward direction, undertheaction of the lever 15, causes the finger 34 to be flexed as theprojection 39 rides up the wall of the groove 36 remote from the groove37. This movement of the slider 31 causes engagement of the leaf springcontact 41 with a feed contact carried by the body 11. The feed contactis not controlled by the main lighting switch, and so when it is engagedby the leaf spring contact 41 the main beam circuit of the headlamps ofthe vehicle is completed regardless of the position of the main lightingswitch. Since the projection 39 is engaged with the wall of the groove36, and the finger 34 is flexed, then this position of the slider 31 isunstable, and upon release of the lever 15 the slider 31 will bereturned to the position wherein the projection 39 engages in the groove36. Thus, the main beams of the headlamps of the vehicle can be flashedby moving the lever 15 to move the slider 31 momentarily beyond itssecond position.

The slider 31 is provided with outwardly directed shoulders 43,44 whichare engageable with the cover 29 and the body 11 respectively. Duringmovement of the slider 31 relative to the body 11, the shoulder 43engages the cover 29 to prevent movement of the slider 31 beyond themain beam flash position, and the shoulder 44 engages the body 11 duringmovement of the slider 31 in the opposite direction to prevent movementof the slider beyond the position wherein the projection 39 engages inthe groove 37 The operating lever is hollow, and is formed from Iconductive material, the outer surface of the lever 15 being coated withinsulating material. At its end remote from the body llthe operatinglever carries a pair of contacts, one of which is electrically connectedto the lever 15, and the other one of which is insulated from the lever15 and connected to an insulating lead which extends within the lever15. The two contacts at the free end of the lever 15 can be bridged byan operating member which is slidably mounted on the lever 15, and whichis urged to a position clear of the contacts by a spring. The twocontacts can, in use, be electrically connected in the horn circuit thewindscreen washer circuit or a smaller circuit of the vehicle, so thatthe circuit can be operated by moving the operatingmember relative tothe lever 15 against the action of the'spring. In a modification, thelever 15 is mounted for axial movement relative to the rotor 14 andadjacent the inner end of the lever 15 are a pair of contacts which areoperable by the inner end of the lever 15. Thus, in

lever 15 is moved bodily inwardly relative to the body 11, so that theinner end of the lever 15 operates the contacts, In the modification thepivot piece 16 is replaced by a pivot pin extending through a slot inthe lever.

The body 11 and the plate 29 include provision for mounting thereonfurther switches .for example, for controlling the windscreen wipers thelights and hazard warning. facility of the road vehicle. The furtherswitches would be mounted on the body 11 and/or the plate 29 on theopposite side of the steering column of the vehicle from the rotor 14,with the operating member of, for example, thewindscreen wiper switchextending outwardly from the steering column generally diametricallyopposite the operating lever 15.

a printed circuit through which connections are made to the unit.

In a further modification the cam track 24 and the channel 28 are formedin the upper surface of the body 11 and the balls 23,27 are spring urgedin a vertical 'direction into engagement with the cam track 24 and thechannel 28 respectively.

In a still further modification the ball 27 is replaced by a syntheticresin plunger which is resiliently urged into a mating channel formed inthe body 11, and the plunger can be positioned so as to extend eithervertically or radially with respect to the rotor 14.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. An electrical switch including a base, a rotor, means mounting therotor for angular movement on the base, a first set of electricalcontacts supported by the base, angular movement of the rotor relativeto the base operating said first set of contacts, an operating lever,means pivotally mounting the operating lever on the rotor for movementrelative to the rotor about an axis generally at right angles to theaxis of movement of the rotor relative to the base, a slider, meansmounting the slider on the base for sliding movement relative thereto ina direction generally parallel with the axis about which the rotor canmove angularly relative to the base, a second set of electrical contactssupported by the base, movement of the slider relative to the baseoperating said second set of contacts, a fixed detent component carriedby the base, a movable detent component carried by said slider andco-operating with the fixed detent component to define operativepositions of the slider relative to the base, and, means coupling theoperating lever to said slider in such a manner that pivotal movement ofthe lever relative to the rotor the lever takes place relative to theslider, and moves the rotor angularly relative to the base to operatethe first set of electrical contacts.

2. A switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fixed detent componentcomprises a fixed projection on the base and said movable detentcomponent comprises a resilient portion having two grooves engageablewith said fixed projection.

3. A switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein detent means is provided formaintaining the rotor in anyone of a plurality of angular positionsrelative to the base.

4. A switch as claimed in claim 3 wherein said plurality of angularpositions comprises a first central position wherein no electricalcircuits are completed through said first set of electrical contacts asecondposition achieved by moving the rotor in one angular directionfrom said first position and in which a first electrical circuit iscompleted through said first set of electrical contacts, and a thirdposition achieved by moving the rotor in the other angular directionfrom said first position and in which a second electrical circuit iscompleted through said first set of electrical con- 'tacts.

5. A switch as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first and secondelectrical circuits are completed during the respective movements of therotor from the first position, prior to the rotor reaching its second orthird positions respectively, and the switch includes means operableduring movement of the rotor from its first position to its secondposition or its third-position, to impart resistance to further movementof the rotor to its first position or its second position, said meansbeing operable at points in the movement of the rotor such that saidfirst circuit or said second circuit is completed, but where uponrelease of the rotor the rotor will be returned by said detent means tothe first position,

6. A switch as claimed in claim 5 wherein said means for impartingresistance to movement of the rotor includes a member movable with therotor and a channel on the base', said member being resiliently urgedinto engagement with the .channel and resistance to movement of therotor being imparted by engagement of said member with either end wallof the channel.

7. A switch-as claimed in claim 4 wherein the rotor carries a pair ofresilient arms adapted to be engageable in use in the second and thirdpositions of the rotor respectively by a cancelling striker whichrotates with the steering column of the vehicle utilizing the switch,said arms serving to transmit cancelling movement of the striker to therotor to return the rotor from either of its second and third positionsto its first position.

8 A switch as claimed in claim 7 further. including a striker mountedfor rotation on the base.

9. A switch as claimed in claim 7 wherein said arms are engaged as asnap fit with the rotor.

1. An electrical switch including a base, a rotor, means mounting therotor for angular movement on the base, a first set of electricalcontacts supported by the base, angular movement of the rotor relativeto the base operating said first set of contacts, an operating lever,means pivotally mounting the operating lever on the rotor for movementrelative to the rotor about an axis generally at right angles to theaxis of movement of the rotor relative to the base, a slider, meansmounting the slider on the base for sliding movement relative thereto ina direction generally parallel with the axis about which the rotor canmove angularly relative to the base, a second set of electrical contactssupported by the base, movement of the slider relative to the baseoperating said second set of contacts, a fixed detent component carriedby the base, a movable detent component carried by said slider andco-operating with the fixed detent component to define operativepositions of the slider relative to the base, and, means coupling theoperating lever to said slider in such a manner that pivotal movement ofthe lever relative to the rotor moves the slider relative to the base tooperate said second set of contacts, whereas movement of the operatinglever in a plane parallel to the pivotal axis of the lever takes placerelative to the slider, and moves the rotor angularly relative to thebase to operate the first set of electrical contacts.
 2. A switch asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said fixed detent component comprises a fixedprojection on the base and said movable detent component comprises aresilient portion having two grooves engageable with said fixedprojection.
 3. A switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein detent means isprovided for maintaining the rotor in anyone of a plurality of angularpositions relative to the base.
 4. A switch as claimed in claim 3wherein said plurality of angular positions comprises a first centralposition wherein no electrical circuitS are completed through said firstset of electrical contacts a second position achieved by moving therotor in one angular direction from said first position and in which afirst electrical circuit is completed through said first set ofelectrical contacts, and a third position achieved by moving the rotorin the other angular direction from said first position and in which asecond electrical circuit is completed through said first set ofelectrical contacts.
 5. A switch as claimed in claim 4 wherein saidfirst and second electrical circuits are completed during the respectivemovements of the rotor from the first position, prior to the rotorreaching its second or third positions respectively, and the switchincludes means operable during movement of the rotor from its firstposition to its second position or its third position, to impartresistance to further movement of the rotor to its first position or itssecond position, said means being operable at points in the movement ofthe rotor such that said first circuit or said second circuit iscompleted, but where upon release of the rotor the rotor will bereturned by said detent means to the first position,
 6. A switch asclaimed in claim 5 wherein said means for imparting resistance tomovement of the rotor includes a member movable with the rotor and achannel on the base, said member being resiliently urged into engagementwith the channel and resistance to movement of the rotor being impartedby engagement of said member with either end wall of the channel.
 7. Aswitch as claimed in claim 4 wherein the rotor carries a pair ofresilient arms adapted to be engageable in use in the second and thirdpositions of the rotor respectively by a cancelling striker whichrotates with the steering column of the vehicle utilizing the switch,said arms serving to transmit cancelling movement of the striker to therotor to return the rotor from either of its second and third positionsto its first position. 8 A switch as claimed in claim 7 furtherincluding a striker mounted for rotation on the base.
 9. A switch asclaimed in claim 7 wherein said arms are engaged as a snap fit with therotor.